A collection of reviews of films from off the beaten path; a travel guide for those who love the cinematic world and want more than the mainstream releases.

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Tallgrass Film Festival 2017 - Ad Astra honoree announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Tallgrass Film Association announces Rose McGowanwill be honored with this year’s Ad Astra Award at the 15th Tallgrass International Film Festival (October 18-22)

Wichita, KS (September 12, 2017) – The Tallgrass Film Association today announced that actress, filmmaker, and outspoken social and political activist, Rose McGowan, will be this year’s recipient of the Ad Astra Award during the 15th edition of the Tallgrass International Film Festival Presented by Consolidated Equities Trust (October 18-22) in Wichita, Kansas.

Regarding McGowan’s selection as the Ad Astra honoree this year, Tallgrass’s Program Director Nick Pope said, “From her debut in THE DOOM GENERATION through films like JAWBREAKER, SCREAM and PLANET TERROR, Rose McGowan has been a major indie film icon that epitomizes the phrase ‘stubbornly independent.’ However, we have all learned that as dynamic as her onscreen presence was, it was barely scratching the surface of her filmmaking vision – as demonstrated by her directorial debut, DAWN. On top of that, her brave and uncompromising voice in Hollywood speaking out on the issues that female filmmakers, actors, and frankly, anyone, in the filmmaking community faces as they attempt to create art and make a living in what can oftentimes be a brutal and unforgiving industry, has made her a leading light in the world of film.”

Tallgrass will present the Ad Astra Award to Rose McGowan at the Scottish Rite Theater (332 E 1st St N) prior to a screening of her critically acclaimed short film, DAWN on Thursday, October 19 at 9:00PM. A Q&A will follow with McGowan moderated by film critic and host of The Canon, Amy Nicholson, and Festworks.com’s John Wildman. The special evening will conclude with a retro screening of PLANET TERROR at 9:45PM, including an introduction by McGowan.

Tallgrass will kick off its tribute to Rose McGowan prior to the festival with a free screening of SCREAM, on Final Friday, September 29th in Gallery Alley, following a reel of 2017 Coming Attractions festival trailers. Sponsored by J. Andrew & Liv + Work.

DAWN, PLANET TERROR

McGowan has been a dynamic and provocative presence on film and television for the past two decades. A favorite of the most iconoclastic directors, she has appeared in acclaimed films by Gregg Araki, Wes Craven, Brian De Palma, Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. In 2014, her directorial debut, DAWN (2014) was nominated for the Short Film Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. McGowan made an indelible mark on the independent film scene with her iconic debut in Araki’s THE DOOM GENERATION (1995), which earned her a Spirit Award nomination for Best Debut Performance. She followed that success with Craven’s SCREAM (1996), which became one of the highest grossing films of the year, and launched a film franchise that arguably revived the horror genre. Additional strong performances in indie films included GOING ALL THE WAY (1997), SOUTHIE (1998), and JAWBREAKER (1999). McGowan also found great success on television, in Showtime's “The Killing Yard” (2001), Aaron Spelling’s popular series “Charmed,” (2002-2006), and “Nip/Tuck” (2009), among others. McGowan returned to the big screen with a vengeance in the celebrated Grindhouse double-feature, including Rodriguez’s PLANET TERROR (2007) and Tarantino’s DEATH PROOF (2007). More recent appearances include CONAN THE BARBARIAN (2011), and television stints on both “Chosen” (2014) and “Once Upon a Time” (2013-2014). McGowan will next be seen in Jenna Marttison’s indie sci-fi thriller, THE SOUND.

The full lineup for the film festival will be announced on September 22. VIP TALLPasses for the Tallgrass Film Festival are available for purchase now with general admission tickets going on sale on September 22, coinciding with that announcement. Please visit tallgrassfilmfest.com for more information.

About the Tallgrass Film Association Stubbornly Independent since 2003, the Tallgrass Film Festival is the largest film festival in Kansas. A program of the 501(c)3 Tallgrass Film Association, the festival showcases more than 180 films from around the world, hosts dozens of visiting filmmakers and includes galas, parties and educational workshop and panels. In addition to bringing the best of independent cinema to Heartland audiences, the festival is designed to highlight the city's cultural attractions including world class museums, landmarks and unique local businesses, to visitors and residents alike. Throughout the year, TFA presents year-round special screenings in partnership with organizations like Music Theatre Wichita, the Wichita Art Museum, the Orpheum Theatre, Exploration Place and the Ulrich Museum of Art, a traveling Road Show in association with the Kansas Historic Theatre Association, a 24 Hour Film Race and Filmmaker Workshops.